In this concise history of the papacy, Christian Walch provides a comprehensive overview of the individuals who have held the position of pope since the establishment of the See of Rome. Written in a clear and accessible manner, this book offers a detailed examination of the political, religious, and social influences that have shaped the papacy over the centuries. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.